4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor with Abu Simbel & Balloon Ride

Summary

Nile River Cruise: Temples, Abu Simbel & Hot Air Balloon in Egypt

You’ll travel Egypt’s legendary Nile by cruise ship—from Aswan to Luxor—with expert guides leading you through ancient temples like Philae and Karnak. Wake before sunrise for Abu Simbel’s colossal statues and float high above Luxor in a hot air balloon. If you want real history mixed with local color (and don’t mind early starts), this trip packs it all in without feeling rushed.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping off the train in Aswan was the warm air—almost sweet with the scent of hibiscus tea from a nearby stall. Our driver was already waiting, waving a little sign and grinning. Check-in on the cruise ship felt easy; by noon we were unpacking and eyeing the river from our cabin window. Lunch was served right away—simple Egyptian dishes, nothing fancy but filling. At 2 pm sharp, we piled into an air-conditioned van for our first stop: the High Dam. Our guide, Hany, explained how it changed life here—no more unpredictable floods, steady electricity for the whole country. The dam itself is massive; you can feel its scale when you stand on top and look out over Lake Nasser.

Afterwards, we hopped onto a small motorboat to reach Philae Temple. The ride was breezy and quiet except for the boat’s engine and some birds overhead. Philae sits on its own island—columns rising up from the water like something out of a movie. Hany pointed out carvings of Isis and told us how they moved this whole temple stone by stone when the dam was built. Back on board that evening, dinner came with a lively folkloric show—drums, dancing, even some guests pulled up to join in. I slept well that night with the faint hum of the river outside.

The next morning started early—really early. At 4 am we met our group in the lobby for Abu Simbel. The drive is long (about four hours), but watching sunrise over endless desert made it worth it. When we arrived, our guide bought tickets and gave us background outside (they’re strict about no guiding inside). Walking up to those giant statues of Ramses II as sunlight hit their faces—it’s hard not to feel small here. You get time to wander at your own pace; I found myself just staring at all those carved walls and thinking about how old everything is. We got back to Aswan around lunch and set sail for Kom Ombo as soon as everyone was back onboard.

Kom Ombo Temple sits right on the riverbank—you can see it coming from miles away as you float closer. It’s dedicated to two gods: Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus (the falcon god). There’s even a little museum with mummified crocodiles inside (not kidding). After dinner back on the ship, we drifted toward Edfu under a sky full of stars.

By sunrise next day, horse-drawn carriages were lined up waiting for us outside Edfu port—a bit bumpy but fun if you don’t mind waking up early! The Temple of Horus is huge and surprisingly well preserved; I noticed local kids selling postcards near the entrance while our guide explained stories carved into every wall. Breakfast back on board tasted extra good after all that walking.

Sailing toward Luxor means passing through Esna Lock—a slow process but kind of fascinating if you’ve never seen boats “climb” like that before. Tea time on deck became my favorite part: warm breeze, sweet cake, watching farmers work along green fields right by the water’s edge. By late afternoon we docked in Luxor and headed straight out to see Luxor Temple lit up in golden light—layers of history everywhere you look: pharaohs’ columns beside Christian graffiti and even an old mosque built right into the ruins.

The last day kicked off before dawn again—this time for a hot air balloon ride over Luxor’s West Bank. Floating above fields and temples as everything turned pink with sunrise…honestly surreal (and chilly up there!). After breakfast back on board we checked out but weren’t done yet: Valley of the Kings came next—walking down into tombs covered in bright colors after thousands of years still feels unreal—and then Hatshepsut’s temple rising against sheer cliffs where mountain goats sometimes wander past.

We wrapped up at Karnak Temple—a maze of giant pillars where our guide shared stories about ancient festivals held right here centuries ago. By afternoon it was time for goodbyes; dusty shoes, full camera roll, heart still racing from all those early mornings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Aswan Highlights

• Transfer to cruise and lunch
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat

Day 2 — Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo

• Tour Abu Simbel Temples
• Lunch and visit Kom Ombo Temple

Day 3 — Edfu Temple and Luxor Arrival

• Tour Edfu Temple by horse carriage
• Sail to Luxor with tea time
• Visit Luxor Temple and dinner

Day 4 — Luxor East and West Bank

• Hot Air Balloon trip
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple
• Visit Karnak and Luxor Temples

Top questions

How early do I need to wake up for Abu Simbel?

You’ll be picked up around 4 am since it takes about four hours each way by bus from Aswan.

Is food included during the cruise?

Yes—all main meals are included while onboard: breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day.

Can I bring my camera on the hot air balloon ride?

No cameras allowed on balloons due to local regulations—you can use your cellphone though!

What happens if weather cancels my balloon or Abu Simbel trip?

If either activity is canceled because of bad weather, you'll get a partial refund per person.

Are transfers between hotels and cruise included?

Yes—all pickups/drop-offs between hotels or stations in Aswan/Luxor are covered in your package.

What’s included

This tour covers three nights’ accommodation aboard a five-star Nile cruise ship with all main meals included (breakfasts, lunches, dinners), guided visits led by professional English-speaking guides at every major site (Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu Temple, Karnak & Luxor Temples), round-trip transfers between hotels or stations in both Aswan and Luxor using comfortable vehicles with qualified drivers—and your hot air balloon ride over Luxor too! Entrance fees aren’t included; drinks are extra—but everything else is sorted so you can just focus on soaking it all in.